Gregory Sierra (Julio) 1937-2021 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-22-2021, 09:06 PM

https://deadline.com/2021/01/gregory...ry-1234678754/

Gregory Sierra, who was a key part of two major 1970s sitcoms as Julio Fuentes on Sanford and Son and Sgt. Miguel “Chano” Amenguale on Barney Miller, has died. He was 83.

Sierra died Jan. 4 in Laguna Woods, California, from cancer, according to a family spokesman. His death just became public today.

Born in New York’s Spanish Harlem, Sierra worked with the National Shakespeare Company and in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He also appeared in off-Broadway plays and was a standby on Broadway for The Ninety Day Mistress in 1967.

Moving to Los Angeles, Sierra had guest appearances on such shows as It Takes a Thief, Medical Center, The High Chaparral, Mod Squad, The Flying Nun and Kung Fu.

In 1972, he was cast as Julio, the sidekick to crotchety junkyard entrepreneur Fred Sanford, He was introduced in the second season episode, “The Puerto Ricans Are Coming.” The show, developed by All in the Family creators Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear, led to another memorable appearance in one of their vehicles, as Sierra played a radical Jewish vigilante in the episode “Archie is Branded” in 1973.

The versatile Sierra also was tapped later to portray Carlos “El Puerco” Valdez, a Malaguayan counter-revolutionist who kidnaps Jessica (Katherine Helmond) on ABC’s Soap.

After Sanford and Son, Sierra struck comedy gold again, appearing in 1975 as one of the original New York detectives in Barney Miller. Sierra played Chano on the show.

Sierra left Barney Miller at the end of the second season, moving over to another sitcom helmed by Barney Miller creator Danny Arnold. A.E.S. Hudson Street was set in a New York emergency room, but ended after just six episodes.

Sierra’s career continued as a recurring character on such shows as Hill Street Blues, Zorro and Son, Miami Vice and Murder, She Wrote, among many others.

Continuing his steady career, Sierra also appeared in the film The Trouble With Spies (1987), Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992), Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994), Vampires (1998) and Mafia! (1998).

He is survived by his wife, Helene. No memorial plans have been announced.

TMC · 01-23-2021, 04:37 AM

How much did Julio's departure/lessening role by the fifth season hurt the show? Paul Mavis of DVD Talk said that the Sanford & Son lost its underling edge with Julio gone. Julio was a constant racial irritant to Fred Sanford much like George Jefferson was to Archie Bunker on All in the Family. Both George and Julio still always managed to getting one over on Archie and Fred. But later, Julio was no longer around as a setup for some of Fred's more outrageous insults.

GoldenTV · 01-24-2021, 12:19 AM

Rollo was probably the best actor on S&S beside Fred. And he became sacrificial lamb for all of Fred's Spanish colored insult

RIP.

AB · 01-25-2021, 06:12 PM

Rest in peace.

Fallon97 · 01-27-2021, 08:17 PM

So sad. Always liked Mr. Sierra as Julio and his other projects. Prayers to the love ones. You will be missed. RIP

warp9p65 · 08-24-2021, 10:04 PM

I think many of the episodes featuring Julio were some of the funniest ones of the series. They should have retained the character for the entire run. I also wish we could have seen more of Hazel, Rosetta, and Ethel sparring with Fred too!

Bonniegirl · 08-24-2021, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warp9p65

I think many of the episodes featuring Julio were some of the funniest ones of the series. They should have retained the character for the entire run. I also wish we could have seen more of Hazel, Rosetta, and Ethel sparring with Fred too!

Yes!!! I loved the episodes with Julio and his goat Chico!!

hatwink · 08-26-2021, 04:15 PM

Was Sierra made to leave, or did he get another role elsewhere?

rusty spike · 08-27-2021, 03:06 PM

I think Gregory got a regular role on another show that only lasted a season or two.

That's the problem with recurring roles; they may not be steady work to pay the bills.

BTW

He was an excellent actor. I enjoyed seeing him play different roles/characters over the years.

01-22-2021, 09:06 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,422	Gregory Sierra (Julio) 1937-2021 https://deadline.com/2021/01/gregory...ry-1234678754/ Gregory Sierra, who was a key part of two major 1970s sitcoms as Julio Fuentes on Sanford and Son and Sgt. Miguel “Chano” Amenguale on Barney Miller, has died. He was 83. Sierra died Jan. 4 in Laguna Woods, California, from cancer, according to a family spokesman. His death just became public today. Born in New York’s Spanish Harlem, Sierra worked with the National Shakespeare Company and in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He also appeared in off-Broadway plays and was a standby on Broadway for The Ninety Day Mistress in 1967. Moving to Los Angeles, Sierra had guest appearances on such shows as It Takes a Thief, Medical Center, The High Chaparral, Mod Squad, The Flying Nun and Kung Fu. In 1972, he was cast as Julio, the sidekick to crotchety junkyard entrepreneur Fred Sanford, He was introduced in the second season episode, “The Puerto Ricans Are Coming.” The show, developed by All in the Family creators Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear, led to another memorable appearance in one of their vehicles, as Sierra played a radical Jewish vigilante in the episode “Archie is Branded” in 1973. The versatile Sierra also was tapped later to portray Carlos “El Puerco” Valdez, a Malaguayan counter-revolutionist who kidnaps Jessica (Katherine Helmond) on ABC’s Soap. After Sanford and Son, Sierra struck comedy gold again, appearing in 1975 as one of the original New York detectives in Barney Miller. Sierra played Chano on the show. Sierra left Barney Miller at the end of the second season, moving over to another sitcom helmed by Barney Miller creator Danny Arnold. A.E.S. Hudson Street was set in a New York emergency room, but ended after just six episodes. Sierra’s career continued as a recurring character on such shows as Hill Street Blues, Zorro and Son, Miami Vice and Murder, She Wrote, among many others. Continuing his steady career, Sierra also appeared in the film The Trouble With Spies (1987), Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992), Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994), Vampires (1998) and Mafia! (1998). He is survived by his wife, Helene. No memorial plans have been announced.
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01-23-2021, 04:37 AM	#2
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,703	How much did Julio's departure/lessening role by the fifth season hurt the show? Paul Mavis of DVD Talk said that the Sanford & Son lost its underling edge with Julio gone. Julio was a constant racial irritant to Fred Sanford much like George Jefferson was to Archie Bunker on All in the Family. Both George and Julio still always managed to getting one over on Archie and Fred. But later, Julio was no longer around as a setup for some of Fred's more outrageous insults.

01-24-2021, 12:19 AM	#3
GoldenTV Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2019 Posts: 1,050	Rollo was probably the best actor on S&S beside Fred. And he became sacrificial lamb for all of Fred's Spanish colored insult RIP.

01-25-2021, 06:12 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	Rest in peace.

01-27-2021, 08:17 PM	#5
Fallon97 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2007 Location: America Posts: 1,272	So sad. Always liked Mr. Sierra as Julio and his other projects. Prayers to the love ones. You will be missed. RIP

08-24-2021, 10:04 PM	#6
warp9p65 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 15, 2019 Location: AR Posts: 49	I think many of the episodes featuring Julio were some of the funniest ones of the series. They should have retained the character for the entire run. I also wish we could have seen more of Hazel, Rosetta, and Ethel sparring with Fred too!

08-26-2021, 04:15 PM	#8
hatwink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 19, 2004 Posts: 773	Was Sierra made to leave, or did he get another role elsewhere?

08-27-2021, 03:06 PM	#9
rusty spike Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,124	I think Gregory got a regular role on another show that only lasted a season or two. That's the problem with recurring roles; they may not be steady work to pay the bills. BTW He was an excellent actor. I enjoyed seeing him play different roles/characters over the years.